Originally posted by vspEver think that if the voters of Georgia wanted someone who would vote in lockstep with Senate Republicans and who would publically denounce the Democratic Party on multiple occasions... that they would've voted for Zell's Republican challenger instead?

Actually, Zell never ran; he was appointed by Roy Barnes in 2000 to fill the vacancy created by the death of Paul Coverdell.

Of course, Zell was a two-term Governor of Georgia...

Originally posted by godkingNot to nitpick your wonderful commentary cartoon, Grimis, but Dean's is taken completely out of context, Albright's was an off-the-cuff joke made while she didn't know she was on air

Dean: I don't know. There are many theories about it. The most interesting theory that I've heard so far, which is nothing more than a theory, I can't—think it can't be proved, is that he was warned ahead of time by the Saudis. Now, who knows what the real situation is, but the trouble is that by suppressing that kind of information, you lead to those kinds of theories, whether they have any truth to them or not, and then eventually they get repeated as fact. So I think the president is taking a great risk by suppressing the clear, the key information that needs to go to the Kean commission.

This is absurdidty you usually don't get from a Presidential front-runner. Democrats 2004: Dean Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest!

The fact that you excuse Albirght's remark as a "joke" does not give her a free pass. Just becuase she was a bumbling idiot as a Secretary of State doesn't mean she gets a get out of jail free card. God knows if Powell made a similar joke he would be fried for it.

Originally posted by vspEver think that if the voters of Georgia wanted someone who would vote in lockstep with Senate Republicans and who would publically denounce the Democratic Party on multiple occasions... that they would've voted for Zell's Republican challenger instead?

Actually, Zell never ran; he was appointed by Roy Barnes in 2000 to fill the vacancy created by the death of Paul Coverdell.

That's right, I'd forgotten that.

Either way, he's spent his entire term not only lining up with the Republicans, but CROWING about it. It's like playing football 10-on-12, with one guy lining up with the other side and tackling his own teammates. The least he could've done would've been to pull a Jeffords, officially switch jerseys and be _honest_ about it.

"As far as my lack of professional courtesy and my obvious immature humor in referring to using your head as a pickle jar, well, I reserve my courtesy for those whom I respect. Your lack of personal integrity has given me much grief, and I find that thinking of your hollowed-out head sitting on top of my fridge and providing a safe haven for pickles is a comforting thought."-- the immortal Bill Mattocks

Originally posted by vspEver think that if the voters of Georgia wanted someone who would vote in lockstep with Senate Republicans and who would publically denounce the Democratic Party on multiple occasions... that they would've voted for Zell's Republican challenger instead?

Actually, Zell never ran; he was appointed by Roy Barnes in 2000 to fill the vacancy created by the death of Paul Coverdell.

That's right, I'd forgotten that.

Either way, he's spent his entire term not only lining up with the Republicans, but CROWING about it. It's like playing football 10-on-12, with one guy lining up with the other side and tackling his own teammates. The least he could've done would've been to pull a Jeffords, officially switch jerseys and be _honest_ about it.

Just a comment to everyone regarding Miller's voting record. Some of you say he must vote with his party. Some of you say he should vote as the voters in his state desire. You may be both be partially correct or likely are. Those of you that say he should have turned Republican may be right. But when anyone is elected to an office what is their duty? IMO it is to vote and do what they believe is proper and best for the group they are representing whatever the office they are elected to. I as a voter my want something or the party may but isn't your duty as an elected official to do what is correct not popular? I know that comes off as a bit naive but really, isn't that the ways things should be?

And Grimis, Dean makes a valid point. Whenever you try to hide things like this, it only creates more problems than it prevents.

Originally posted by DrDirt But when anyone is elected to an office what is their duty? IMO it is to vote and do what they believe is proper and best for the group they are representing whatever the office they are elected to. I as a voter my want something or the party may but isn't your duty as an elected official to do what is correct not popular? I know that comes off as a bit naive but really, isn't that the ways things should be?

You know, I just chose to read the Constitution of the United States of America, Article 1, Section 3, on the duties and responsibilities of the Senator of the United States, as well as Admendement 17 which says:

The Senate of the United States shall be composed of two Senators from each State, elected by the people thereof, for six years; and each Senator shall have one vote.

I notice it doesn't say a darn thing about parties and politics. Just elections and choosing.

How did Zell get in?

When vacancies happen in the representation of any State in the Senate, the executive authority of such State shall issue writs of election to fill such vacancies: Provided, That the legislature of any State may empower the executive thereof to make temporary appointments until the people fill the vacancies by election as the legislature may direct

Yeah, he's in, he's voting - and the PEOPLE (Dummies that a certain segment of the political struture think they are) get to choose who goes in.

Basically, Used to was, the Dems in the south were THE conservative ones. Small government, back to basics, ect. Zell's one of them. One more thing the Republicans have taken from the Dems.

But basically, the Doc's right: The senators are elected or appointed and they serve as they wish - and the voters get a chance to re-elect them or toss them out at the end of the next term. I'll miss Zell - a voice of reason is a reasonless party.

You are of course correct AWA. Peolpe have come to think of the Dem's as this monolithic liberal whacko party. There is actually a strong conservative tradition in there somewhere just as there is a proud progressive heritage in the Republican party.

IMO for any party in the U.S. to truly succeed they need the entire spectrum of views represented. The best ideas only emerge from the cauldron of heated debate. If your idea can't hold up to scrutiny, you need to change you ideas. It is very sad to me that so many here and elsewhere think you can't be a conservative Dem or Liberal Rep. This isn't like Britain or Israel, our country only truly moves forward when the big two are inclusive. As you become exclusive, over time, you will become irrelevant.

Statement in Voters' Guide: "I breathe." That really should be all I put on this page, but just for consistency's sake... KEVIN RICHTER (R) Wotta hunk! (But he's taken - damn) Website: www.whowantstobeagovernor.com Slogan: